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She died of natural causes, her press
representative said.
Born in a favela slum in Rio de Janeiro to a washerwoman and a
factory worker in 1930, Soares rose from poverty to record 36
albums and perform at the 2016 Olympic opening ceremony in Rio.
Her raspy voice struck a chord with audiences around the world
in concert hall performances of songs that touched on the
hardship of life in Rio, justice for women and racism in
Brazilian society.
She became a fierce champion of Black feminism and an outspoken
voice against violence against women.
"Racism still continues, but we are going to fight it and we
will make progress. Racism is a sickness," Soares told Reuters
in an interview last year.
In 1966, Soares married soccer star Mane Garrincha, a striker
who helped Brazil win the 1958 and 1962 World Cups along with
the legendary Pele.
Their tumultuous 17-year relationship ended when Soares left
Garrincha after he struck her during an argument. He died of
cirrhosis in 1983. She died on the same day 39 years later.
(Reporting by Sergio and Ricardo Moraes; writing by Anthony
Boadle; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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